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Thursday, August 28, 2014

originally posted on snagglebox.com

Dear teachers,

Sometimes the challenges of having autistic kids can make it hard for us to do all of the things that you might expect from parents... making sure homework gets done, listening to reading, bringing in supplies, volunteering our help or making it to meetings on time.

We know this must be frustrating for you. It might even seem that we're not trying or don't care. But please know that we might have some really good reasons...

We're busy

Our lives are jam-packed with learning about autism, specialist appointments and constant challenges. This can make it hard to find a spare 20 minutes for meetings, homework, reading or popping out to the store for a sheet of poster board.

We're broke
Doctors, specialists, therapy costs, time off work and even losing our jobs are all putting serious financial pressure on us. So yes, it might be hard for us to find $5 for the class trip.

We're exhausted
It’s common for autistic kids to have sleep problems so a lot of us are up all night, and managing meltdowns are physically demanding. We might not be functioning at our best.

We’re on eggshells
We'd do anything to avoid setting off a meltdown that lasts for hours, but it takes a while to figure out how to do that. In the meantime it can be like living in an abandoned minefield, so our nerves are on edge.

We’re touchy
A lot of people don’t understand autism and judge our kids and our parenting harshly. So if we seem a bit defensive please don't take it personally, we're just used to having to protect ourselves.

We’re hurting
It’s hard to see your child struggling and not know what to do about it.

Monday, August 25, 2014

It is
getting to be that time of year again. School registration has started for some
districts and is approaching for others. Summer is coming to an end and the new
school year will be here before we know it.Soon it will be time to think about IEPs, meetings, and homework. Get
prepared with these great resources from ISBE.

Monday, August 11, 2014

originally posted on What to ExpectLeigh Merryday is a school media specialist and autism parent blogger at FlappinessIs.com. She is married with two children — a typical five-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son on the autism spectrum. In her spare time, she vehemently denies being addicted to Facebook, reading, and peanut butter fudge. No one believes her.

"Middle school" is a scary phrase for most parents. Thoughts of your baby wandering around a big school, trying to find his classes and being run over by much bigger 8th graders are frightening. He will no longer be cocooned in the safety of his elementary classroom with a teacher who knows him well, and there is the expectation your child will be able to function more independently. But what if your child is on the autism spectrum? What if he has difficulty advocating for his needs? What if he is difficult to understand? Or becomes overwhelmed? How do you rest easy knowing that his differences may make him an easier target for bullies?

I am a middle school teacher/media specialist and an autism parent. In my 15 years of teaching middle school, I have encountered many children on the autism spectrum. Some struggle and, yes, some do quite well. I have learned small things can make all the difference for our special kids. Unfortunately, many parents don't know they can ask for special assistance. Without the proper plans in place to begin with, it can take months or years for solutions to occur to teachers or administrators.
Every child is different — autism or not. The following ideas are things I have seen to be most helpful for spectrum kids surviving middle school:

1. A 5-minute early pass. If your child is overwhelmed by loud noises or people bumping into him, passing time in a middle school hallway can be upsetting. Ask for a laminated hall pass to leave each class five minutes early. Your child will then be able to use the restroom and make it to his next class in peace. A pass may also curtail bullying, which often occurs in the bathroom or hallways. Deans and guidance counselors utilize such passes for students for various reasons and it won't hurt to have one. If you find your child doesn't have a problem in the hallways, he can simply choose to not use it.

1. Break it down

Do a task analysis to break the transition into smaller steps, so you can figure out where the problem is. Let's take moving from computer time to another activity as a quick example:

2. Show that change can be okay

Use two activities that he loves equally and practice switching between them. Teach him to recognise what a transition is, when it's coming and how it will feel. Make it a rewarding, stress-free time so he can focus on learning the cues and experiencing the change as a pleasant thing.

Monday, August 4, 2014

If you happen to have a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, chances are it is a boy. According to statistics, there are 4 boys with Asperger’s to every 1 girl who has the disorder. It’s no wonder that parents like Julie Clark experience doubt and resistance when others find out she has a daughter, Kristina, who has Asperger’s Syndrome.

Time and again, people have questioned Kristina’s diagnosis. Even teachers and other professionals have expressed doubt and disbelief and have even pushed her to get another opinion. Clark is sure, however; Kristina definitely has Asperger’s Syndrome.

It’s not just that more boys are diagnosed with the syndrome, though. Boys and girls often have different symptoms and react differently to the world, which just adds to the confusion.

This is why Clark decided to write a book about her family’s experience with Asperger’s. Her goal is to share her experience in the hopes of possibly educating other people about Asperger’s in girls. Asperger’s in Pink, this month’s OJTA book club selection, chronicles Clark’s family’s journey into the world of Asperger’s Syndrome.

Asperger’s in Pinkis labeled as a must read for “raising (or being!) a girl with Aspeger’s.” But I wouldn’t stop there. As a mother of a son with high-functioning autism, I learned quite a bit from this book. Clark includes lots of information and insight on how to work with school officials and teachers to get your child the services she needs.

She also discusses many daily challenges facing those on the autism spectrum, including difficulties with transitions, challenges with being flexible, and of course, the problems many face with social skills. Intermingled with the advice is a great big helping of personal stories–many of which will make you smile as you relate to Clark and her challenges raising her daughter.

If you are interested in borrowing this book and you live in Illinois, please contact Family Matters at 866-436-7842 or leave a message here in the comments. If you comment, be sure to include your email address so we can contact you!